How to Paint a Fictional Bird with AI Image Generator

by Emily Clarke

on Apr 18

Creating a fictional bird from scratch can be a thrilling challenge for digital artists, art students, and hobbyist painters. But what if you could combine your artistic vision with the power of AI to make this process faster, easier, and more imaginative? AI art tools offer limitless possibilities for generating unique and creative designs for your dream bird. This blog will guide you through the entire process of painting a fictional bird with the help of AI—from selecting the right tool to adding your own artistic touches. By the end, you’ll not only know how to bring a fictional bird to life but also know how to transform your creation into something as cool as a paint-by-numbers project.

Choosing Your AI Tool

The first step is selecting an AI art generator. Different tools offer unique capabilities, and choosing the right one depends on your artistic goals. Below are some of the most popular options:

1. MidJourney

Why it’s great: Known for its ability to create highly detailed, dreamy illustrations, MidJourney is fantastic for conceptualizing fantastical birds with intricate details.

Drawbacks: Requires precision in prompts to get exactly what you’re imagining. Additionally, it operates via Discord, which might feel clunky for some beginners.

2. DALL·E

Why it’s great: This text-to-image system by OpenAI excels at understanding detailed prompts. It’s perfect for creating realistic images or concept sketches of birds in various settings.

Drawbacks: Depending on your needs, the output might look too polished, which could make it harder to refine manually later.

3. Stable Diffusion

Why it’s great: Stable Diffusion is open-source, giving you full creative control. It’s great for experimenting and creating multiple iterations of your bird.

Drawbacks: Requires a higher level of technical understanding compared to other tools. Setting it up can be complex for beginners.

4. Runway ML

Why it’s great: A beginner-friendly platform with a low learning curve. It’s a great choice for those looking to generate base images and create animations later.

Drawbacks: Limited advanced options compared to other tools. Takeaway? Start with the tool that aligns with your comfort level and the desired level of detail for your final piece.

Defining the Bird's Characteristics

Before jumping into AI-generated art, take some time to define the specifics of your fictional bird. Remember, the more vivid and detailed your concept, the easier it will be to guide the AI.

1. Physical Attributes

Color palette: Decide the dominant colors for your bird. For instance, is it a gradient of fiery orange and yellow, or a blend of cool blues and greens?
Anatomy: Will it have bold peacock-like feathers, a sleek raven profile, or something entirely otherworldly with ethereal wings?
Unique traits: Consider adding distinctive features like glowing eyes, bioluminescent feathers, or a unique pattern on its wings.

2. Habitat

Environment: Picture where this bird would live. Is it soaring in outer space, nesting in a magical tree, or perched on a crystal cliff?
Connection to environment: Would your bird have traits that reflect its surroundings, like camouflaging feathers or plant-inspired patterns?

3. Personality

Mood: Is it a regal and mysterious bird or a mischievous creature?
Behavior: Imagine how it interacts with its world. Is it a solitary hunter or a communal, song-loving bird?

Write down these details. They’ll help you craft precise prompts for the AI tool you choose. For example, instead of simply typing “fictional bird,” try a prompt like, “A majestic bird with rainbow-tinted feathers and glowing amber eyes, perched in a glowing forest.”

Generating Base Images

Once you’ve defined your bird’s traits, it’s time to feed the details into your AI tool.

Step-by-Step Process to Generate an Image

Compose a detailed prompt: Use the notes from the previous step to create a description that’s easy for the AI to interpret.
Experiment with multiple iterations: Generate several images based on slight variations of your prompt to explore different interpretations.
Save your options: Choose a few base designs that resonate with your vision.

Pro Tip Be patient and iterate your prompts to refine your bird design. For example, if the AI outputs wings that are too small or colors that feel off, modify your description to clarify your preferences.

Refining and Combining Images

No AI tool will create the perfect image in one go—that’s where your refining skills come in. This step is all about bringing cohesion and clarity to your fictional bird.

Combine the Best Elements

If you’ve generated several base images, use editing software to combine the best elements. For instance, you might love the body structure from one design, the feathers from another, and the patterning from a third. Tools like Photoshop or Canva can help you overlay and blend these elements.

Add Depth and Detail

Refine the AI-generated image by painting over areas to add detail. Adjust lighting, textures, and shadows for a more polished and professional look.

Adding Personal Touches

Now comes the fun part! Infuse your personality and artistic style into the piece. AI may handle the base structure, but it’s your unique touch that will make it shine.

Incorporate Hand-Painted Details

Highlight feathers or small textures with a digital brush.
Add subtle hues, gradients, or sparkles that align with your bird’s environment.
Adjust the eyes to give the bird more life and emotion.

Don’t Forget the Background

Customize the background based on your bird’s habitat. Use soft brushes to create abstract backdrops or sharp tools for detailed landscapes.

Pro Tip Use layering in your digital painting software. This allows you to work on the bird and its background separately, giving you more control over each element.

Turn Art into Paint by Numbers

Interested in taking your artwork a step further? Transform your fictional bird into a paint-by-numbers project or select from our bird paint by numbers collection.

Tools for Paint by Numbers Conversion

Use apps like PBNify or 1001canvas online tool to convert your bird design into a numbered grid. Then, add color codes to each section based on your palette to create a fun DIY activity for art lovers. This conversion is a great way to share your creation with your community or even sell a creative product!

Here is some examples of AI generated fiction bird painting

Phoenix Reborn

Color Palette: Crimson, gold, and molten orange with ember-like gradients.
Anatomy: Sleek, elongated tail feathers with flame-shaped tips; radiant wings that shimmer like fire.
Unique Traits: Feathers glow brighter when in motion; leaves tiny sparks in its wake.
Environment: Volcanic cliffs or ancient temple ruins.
Connection to Environment: Absorbs heat from lava flows; ashes rejuvenate nearby plants.
Mood: Majestic, powerful, and eternal.
Behavior: Soars in wide arcs, rarely landing; sings a low, resonant hum.

Frostwing Owl

Color Palette: Icy blue, silver, and pale lavender with a frosted sheen.
Anatomy: Large, translucent wings with delicate ice-crystal patterns; feathered "ear" tufts.
Unique Traits: Breath creates tiny snowflakes; feathers never melt.
Environment: Frozen tundras or abandoned ice palaces.
Connection to Environment: Glides silently, leaving faint frost trails in the air.
Mood: Serene, mysterious, and wise.
Behavior: Observes from high perches; hoots echo like cracking ice.

Nebula Peacock

Color Palette: Deep cosmic purple, nebula pink, and starry silver.
Anatomy: Tail feathers resemble swirling galaxies; eyes on feathers glow like stars.
Unique Traits: Moves in slow, graceful motions as if underwater; feathers shift colors like auroras.
Environment: Floating islands or celestial gardens.
Connection to Environment: Its presence causes nearby plants to emit soft bioluminescence.
Mood: Ethereal, dreamlike, and enchanting.
Behavior: Dances under moonlight, creating faint stardust trails.

Stormcaller Eagle

Color Palette: Storm-gray, electric blue, and charcoal black.
Anatomy: Jagged, lightning-shaped feathers; eyes crackle with energy.
Unique Traits: Wings generate static electricity; can summon gusts of wind.
Environment: Mountain peaks or thundercloud realms.
Connection to Environment: Flies in sync with storms; lightning strikes where it lands.
Mood: Fierce, untamed, and commanding.
Behavior: Calls sound like rolling thunder; hunts by diving through clouds.

Biolume Hummingbird

Color Palette: Neon green, deep violet, and glowing cyan.
Anatomy: Tiny, iridescent body with wings that beat in a blur.
Unique Traits: Leaves behind glowing afterimages when flying; feeds on luminous nectar.
Environment: Enchanted rainforests with glowing flowers.
Connection to Environment: Pollinates plants that only bloom at night.
Mood: Playful, energetic, and mesmerizing.
Behavior: Zips in erratic patterns, creating light trails like fireworks.

Obsidian Raven

Color Palette: Glossy black, metallic silver, and deep blood-red accents.
Anatomy: Razor-sharp beak and talons; feathers have a mirror-like sheen.
Unique Traits: Can phase through shadows; whispers secrets in forgotten tongues.
Environment: Ancient ruins or misty graveyards.
Connection to Environment: Guards lost knowledge; perched statues come to life in its presence.
Mood: Ominous, intelligent, and cryptic.
Behavior: Stays eerily still before vanishing into darkness.

Coral Songbird

Color Palette: Seafoam green, coral pink, and pearlescent white.
Anatomy: Delicate, fin-like wing extensions; beak shaped like a seashell.
Unique Traits: Sings in harmonic frequencies that calm waves.
Environment: Coastal cliffs or underwater air pockets.
Connection to Environment: Its feathers are water-repellent; nests are woven from kelp.
Mood: Gentle, soothing, and harmonious.
Behavior: Flies in sync with ocean breezes; duets with dolphins.

Void Phoenix

Color Palette: Abyssal black, dark violet, and eerie white highlights.
Anatomy: Feathers absorb light; wings resemble shifting smoke.
Unique Traits: Doesn’t burn—it extinguishes flames; rebirths in black holes.
Environment: Abandoned cosmic voids or eclipsed realms.
Connection to Environment: Absorbs sound and light; stars dim as it passes.
Mood: Haunting, enigmatic, and otherworldly.
Behavior: Flies in slow, deliberate patterns; silent except for a faint echo.

Sunflare Parrot

Color Palette: Vibrant yellow, fiery orange, and sunset red.
Anatomy: Broad, curved beak; tail feathers mimic solar flares.
Unique Traits: Can mimic any sound, including thunder and laughter.
Environment: Floating sky islands or desert oases.
Connection to Environment: Its calls make fruits ripen instantly.
Mood: Cheerful, bold, and charismatic.
Behavior: Performs acrobatic flips mid-flight; loves shiny objects.

Bring Your Fictional Bird to Life Today

By combining creativity with AI, digital artists, art students, and hobbyist painters can easily design stunning fictional birds that blend imagination and technology. Whether you’re visualizing a phoenix with fiery feathers or a celestial bird with stars glittering in its plumage, the process is both rewarding and fun. Start experimenting with different AI tools, defining the unique traits of your bird, and adding your personal artistic touches. And if you’re up for a new challenge, don’t forget to try turning your artwork into a fun, paint-by-numbers piece. Unleash your creativity today and bring your fictional bird to life!